Saturn Model 1 Mod Chip Blues

Post by **LordOfTheCynics** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 11:39 pm

I bought a model 1 20-pin Saturn (yeah, I know, poor me), got a chip from Racketboy, and attempted to modify and install the chip myself. I followed all the instructions as best I could, but all I get is nothing. The light comes on, and that's it. The CD doesn't even spin. Works fine without the chip, though, so what could I have done wrong? I checked all the solder connections, double- and even triple checked them, and I still can't see what I did wrong. The only thing I can think of is the part in the instructions that mention "traces to cut." I don't see anything on those areas specified that I could cut, so I don't know what else it could possibly be... maybe the modchip is faulty? Should I get another one, from Rob Webb? Apparently they have chips for Model 1's that work fine...

Post by **arion** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 11:36 am

if the cd doesnt spin its possible the red wire isnt connected. But im not sure since i modded a model 2 saturn if that also applies to a model 1

Post by **LordOfTheCynics** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 2:32 pm

The chip seems a tad warm, but maybe that's just my hands, I don't know. Should it feel kinda hot, or just warm? And where would I feel heat, near the power line?

I filed down the sides to it so it would fit, and it seems to go in snugly, except I can't completely close and screw the box back together. Apparently the chip is too tall.

Here's a couple pics I took of how it looks now.

In the first two, you can see how I bridged A & B, and attached the power line just to the side of that, and where I soldered the other lines. Note the utterly crap job I did on the soldering...

In the next one is a shot of the other side, and the last is where I spliced the power line to the system board power.

Does it look right to you guys?

Post by **LordOfTheCynics** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 7:12 pm

Post by **hardrocknamigo** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:23 pm

it's possible that there doesn't need to be an a+b connection. there is'nt one listed on the instructions for modding a model 1 saturn.

edit: yeah, actually it says that if that trace is there to cut it.

Post by **LordOfTheCynics** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:34 pm

I tried it both with and without it, and neither one worked.

Post by **hardrocknamigo** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:56 am

i actually just today spent about 6 hours trying to get the same thing to work. my drive won't spin, and i've tried all of the suggestions listed in the forums that i've found. tomorrow i guess i'll just go through the modifications with a voltometer and make sure they are all connected. the chip barely fits in the case too.

also, the connector on the mod chip to put the ribbon cable is 21-pin, and the cable itself is 20-pin...which side on the connector do you leave open? the far right side or the far left side?

Post by **LordOfTheCynics** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 8:55 am

Sounds like you've got the same problem. My case won't sit snugly with the chip inside, hence I can't run it unless it's opened because the CD doesn't sit right in the spindle.

Hmmm... I didn't really notice that part... my cable fit snugly into the chip, so it didn't seem to make a difference. Just to be sure, try it both ways. It didn't work for me, though.

Post by **hardrocknamigo** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:34 pm

maybe racketboy will see this thread and give some advice...?

Post by **racketboy** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:32 pm

hardrocknamigo wrote:maybe racketboy will see this thread and give some advice...?

Unfortunately, I'm not electrically gifted, so I'm not much of a help in this area.
As I've mentioned many times before, I've never personally dealt with Model 1s and don't encourage people to mess with them either.